Dears, My vote against Mopa would depend on the Indian Navy vacating Dabolim. Mind you, I am not anti-national. The Navy needs Dabolim as much as the 2 STC needs its HQ near Dempo House and Panaji market, may be even less after the "Seabird" base has been commissioned [is that the right word for it?] near Karwar.
I think the politicians need to make a distinction between freezing Goa's population and Goans' population. The fecundity of Goans is below "replacement level" with so many couples each producing single child to give it a better quality of life ...surrounded by moneyed non-Goans, six months of the year ;-) The MV River Princess is becoming the mascot of Goa and Goans ...stuck on the beach! Ever wondered who owns the little bars and dysfunctional restaurants dotting the highway in Pernem taluka? Find out who owns the land in which they stand and you will know who will set up the 5-Star hotels there once the airport comes up. The restaurant and bar licences are already in place. They are licenced for the quick kill. The Tourism Masterplan was already set in 1987. The statehood followed next. Check out with GoaCAN. It has quite a few details for those who are interested now ...but were not interested then. When the recession hits the West, Goa will be one nice cheap place to live in .... for the tourists! Ever wondered why the Japanese Banks are giving soft loans to Goa to build gutters in villages? or why the Goa Sewerage Corporation is being revived? Follow the "developments" ... they follow a Master Plan! Mog asundi. Miguel Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:50:29 -0800 (PST) From: "Rajan P. Parrikar" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [Goanet] Makka nakka Mopa The bad news doesn't stop coming. The latest is that Mopa has been agreed to in principle by the Delhi mandarins. It is well to reflect on the following question: This question can be rephrased: Do Goans wish to turn the entire state into one contiguous lump of an urban swamp? The answer to this question will determine your position on the matter. There are extremely powerful interests pushing the Mopa project. Pawar already has his boy Praful Patel in the right place to make the right call. The villagers most likely will be conned into supporting this project with visions of the modern life and promises of a perennial supply of milk and honey. MLAs - regardless of party affiliation - will be all for it since the kickbacks and commissions pie is so large that even a small nibble will set you up for life. We cannot support these levels of inflow. When politicians call for a freeze on Goa's population the corollary should be, a freeze on visitors, too. Regards, r -- -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-. Miguel Braganza, S1 Gracinda Apts, Rajvaddo, Mhapsa 403507 Goa Ph 9822982676 [EMAIL PROTECTED] -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
